The Tudor Society

#OTD in Tudor history – 5 August

On this day in Tudor history, Sir Reginald Bray, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, died; Crown troops defeated rebels at the Battle of Clyst St Mary; and John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, and his brother, Alexander, were killed as they allegedly tried to kidnap James VI in the Gowrie Conspiracy...

  • 1503 – Death of Sir Reynold (Reginald) Bray, administrator in the reign of Henry VII. He served the King as Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, Treasurer of England and Treasurer for war. See video below.
  • 1532 – Death of Sir Nicholas Harvey, diplomat, at Ampthill, Bedfordshire. He was buried in Ampthill Church where his memorial brass can still be seen.
  • 1549 – The Battle of Clyst St Mary during the Prayer Book Rebellion. The Devonian and Cornish rebels were defeated by Lord Russell's troops, and around 900 prisoners were massacred later that day on Clyst Heath. Click here to read more or see video below.

  • 1551 (5th or 6th August) – Death of Henry Holbeach, Bishop of Lincoln, at Nettleham.
  • 1600 – Deaths of John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, and his brother, Alexander Ruthven, Master of Ruthven, at Gowrie House near Perth. The brothers were killed as they tried to kidnap James VI. See video below.
  • 1601 – Burial of Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norris of Rycote, courtier, diplomat and son of Sir Henry Norris, one of the men executed for alleged adultery with Queen Anne Boleyn. Norris was buried at the chapel at Rycote in Oxfordshire.

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#OTD in Tudor history – 5 August